Serious Red Flags When Looking at a New Home!

You’ve jumped through the hoops, acquired your down payment, and secured your mortgage amount. Now comes the fun part: shopping for your new home. This is arguably the best part of the process, where your hard work meets with the search for your dream home. Whether you’re shopping for houses for sale, or perhaps for luxury condos, there are a list of red flags to keep an eye out for. Don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it sounds, and the best way to start is to work your way up!

Everything Begins with the Foundation

A house is nothing but a money pit without a solid foundation, so this is exactly where you should start. Take a walk around the property noting anything that seems off to you including cracks, crumbling, water pooling, or even an area that might be sinking. This is true of any property, but it’s certainly something to keep in mind if you’re shopping for an Oakville waterfront condo or home as erosion and water-based issues will become an even bigger issue for this type of property.

Structural Issues

Although open concept is a popular design feature in many Oakville homes for sale, not having proper supports is a big red flag. There are cases where renovations are done without consideration to key structural elements from supporting beams and pillars to full, and necessary, walls. If your walk-through takes you to an area that seems to be a little too open, it could be a red flag.

Homes for Sale Should Look Maintained Inside…

It certainly goes without saying that the better you care for your things, the longer they will last. The same can be said for your home, and it’s one of the largest red flags to look out for, albeit sometimes the hardest. Be sure to take note of the wiring during your visit to a potential new home. Are the wires frayed? Are there wires to nowhere? Can you see duct tape that looks like it’s been holding up the electrical for a little too long? These are concerning issues that need to be addressed.

…And Out

How about the windows? Do they have excess moisture in between the panes of glass, or any cracks and fractures? Outdoor fixtures, including multiple types of tiles on the roof or cracks and plants taking over the gutters, can offer you hints about just how much work you’ll have to do to clean up this new space. This can be kept in mind for any kind of dwelling too. For instance, if you’re considering Oakville condos, many of these elements still apply, both when it comes to inside the condo itself or even applied to the entire building.

Quick Fixes that Disguise the Undesirable

Sometimes sellers wish to get rid of their home in a hurry, leaving you with whatever current problem they are experiencing. Take a look for things that stand out because they look a bit too good compared to the remainder of the space. This could be a room with one freshly painted wall meant to disguise mould, or wooden beams that have been patched up in certain areas instead of being replaced in order to hide rot.

Where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire, so always look for these seemingly small red flags before they become your big problems.

Neighbourhood Watch: Are People Moving In or Moving Out?

Location, location, location! This has always been and continues to be an important indicator of a successful home purchase. The main thing here is to find out if there has been an exodus from the area, any positive or negative changes to the local economy, or if there have been any migration trends related to the surrounding neighbourhoods. Chances are, if you’re shopping for Mississauga condos, Oakville real estate, or any property within the Golden Horseshoe,  you have a very high chance of purchasing in either an up-and-coming neighbourhood or an older established one.

Seek Out the Experts

In order to have the best experience possible when shopping for your new home, the rule of thumb is to always seek out the professionals! Organizing a professional inspection will ensure that you safeguard your current and future assets and keep the experience as positive as possible. If you’re considering condos for sale in the Oakville and surrounding areas, reach out to our expert realtors at Alex Irish. Whether you’re buying or selling, Alex Irish & Associate Real Estate team will guide you seamlessly from tour to purchase and from marketing to getting your best sale ever. Start your search today!